Some thoughts on leaving the University of Nottingham

I really can’t quite believe it’s my very last day at the University of Nottingham. 18 years is a long time to be doing anything. I may still be a bit shy but I’m not actually retiring. Not yet.

I’d worked at three other universities in a wide range of professional services roles before starting at Nottingham. It’s fair to say though that none of this really prepared me for taking on this job at this extraordinary University. I do feel enormously privileged to have served here for this length of time and even though the job title has remained the same, there has been major change during this time. 

Coming into the Trent Building every day (Ok, most days) has felt like a privilege every single time. You genuinely feel the history of the place and the legacy which you are continually seeking to build upon.

I was really astounded when I first saw the short silent film of King George V and Queen Mary opening the Trent Building. It really is a remarkable couple of minutes of film from close to a century ago. You can see the clip here.  

But then there are also the pictures of Gandhi and Einstein and HG Wells in and around the Trent Building. And our incredible Nobel Prize Winners Sir Peter Mansfield and Sir Clive Granger. Plus, of course, DH Lawrence. But those are the superstars. More important than them I would argue are all of those others who have gone before and since who don’t have buildings named after them or similar memorials. The many tens of thousands of colleagues who have worked in the University over the past 140 years, not all of whose names are recorded, but who built it into what is today. 

There are records of my predecessors though and whilst I am the ninth Registrar and feel like I have been here for a very long time, it turns out I am far from the longest serving: four have served longer. Mid-table obscurity beckons.

Since announcing my departure quite a few people have asked what I would see as my legacy. I have to say though that I do think that looking for a legacy is largely vanity. People did great stuff before I arrived, many have done amazing things while I was here, and other people will deliver even more wonderful achievements after I have gone. None of that is down to me.

I am though proud to have been associated with outstanding colleagues across the whole of the Professional Services at Nottingham all of whom have delivered remarkable things during my time, particularly during times of extraordinary challenge. To all of the colleagues working in all parts of Professional Services across the University, to them I would like to say a massive thank you. Nottingham really is a very special community. To paraphrase what the late John Peel used to say about his and my favourite band, the mighty Fall: university life is always different and always the same.

I’m not retiring though, just having a bit of a break. I’m sure I’ll find something interesting to due in this wonderful and frightening world of higher education before too long. Until then I’ll just have to keep making up daft league tables, recording podcasts and coming up with other related higher ed nonsense.